On the afternoon of December 16, 1971, history was written at the Ramna Race Course (now Suhrawardy Udyan). Lieutenant General Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi, the commander of the Pakistani forces, surrendered to Lieutenant General Jagjit Singh Aurora, the joint commander of the Indian and Bangladeshi forces. The signing of the Instrument of Surrender, witnessed by millions and broadcast to the world, marked the end of a dark chapter and the beginning of a new era. With the hoisting of the green and red flag, Bangladesh emerged as an independent state, realizing the promise made in the Proclamation of Independence on March 26.
Bijoy Ekushe is not just Bangladesh's victory. It is humanity's victory. It says to every minority, every suppressed voice, every child told to forget their mother's words: Bijoy Ekushe